Auditioning at the Playhouse

What's it like to audition at the Des Moines Playhouse???

Well my daughter and I auditioned for Annie a few weeks ago and I though I'd share the process..in case anyone was thinking about doing the same. Well rule #1 is to find a vocal coach to help you prep the song. There were 175 people trying out and only 7 spots for kids..so we knew the first impression...our voices...were essential. We asked my friend and vocal teacher Vanessa Grimm to work with Emily and I a few times. Emily (7 yrs old) chose "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music and I chose "Show Off" from The Drowsy Chaperone. We both made up choreography and memorized our lyrics. ***RULE #2*** Always sing a Broadway song and never from the show you're trying out for. O-and make sure you bring an original piece of music (no copies) accompanists are always provided..make sure you've practiced with someone playing the piano part on the music so you know what it sounds like.

The big day arrived..we got plenty of sleep and arrived 30 minutes early...I decided to look pro and buy a dance skirt (for my turns) and some character shoes (for dancing) at the theatrical shop... I least wanted to look like I had done this before (which I hadn't). We had to wait in line and fill out our audition sheet and all of our conflicts on the calendar. They took pictures of us and gave us a sticker with our # on it (145 and 146). We filed into the theatre and listened to instructions..I changed into my new shoes and was ready to raise my hand to go first...like the brown noser I am...but they proceeded to tell us we would audition in groups of 20 in the order we were numbered..it was now 6:20 and my daughter's bedtime is 8pm..wow ...this was going to be a long night. They shooed us all out and Em and I decided to go get a bite to eat and do some pre Halloween shopping to get our mind off the audition. We both had a cough...so we went and got some medicine too. We called our awesome sitter Crystine for reinforcements and she met us at the playhouse at 8:30pm. We chatted and played games...still not our turn....I reapplied the lipstick and got my dancing shoes on again..we decided to find a quiet nook and performed our pieces for the video camera and Crystine for practice. It was 9:30 and finally our turn. We walked in and sat down..we had to go up and get in line (no more than 3 in the line at a time) when it was approaching our turn. At this point I was a bit nervous. I turned to my 7 yr old and whispered..."Are you nervous?" She looked at me in amazement and said, "Why would I be nervous?" I decided to smile back and shut my mouth :) She was before me (thank God) and was amazing...she had seen from the 10 people that auditioned in front of us that the piano player was omitting the piano introductions (I'm sure time was the issue), when it was her turn...she instinctly marched up the stairs, across the stage, handed the music to the piano player...pointed to where she was going to begin, smiled..got front and center, turned to the accompanist, nodded her head, and started. I'm sure if someone would have snapped a pic..my mouth would have been agape..my eyes in amazement. I was so impressed with her confidence, pitch accuracy and beautiful singing. Before I knew it..it was my turn..holy moly..I started to shake, my palms got wet and I started to pray, as I handed my music to the guy and found my starting pose..I looked out and thought..."Who am I trying to impress?" And with that one thought I let it all hang out and let loose..complete with growling and hip thrusts..well in good taste of course :) They cut me off (they did to everyone) but I was happy with my performance and walked down with pride. I smiled and hugged my daughter and politely watched the rest of the people audition. I was glad it was over and started to feel that I was indeed getting sick...we left that night and I gave Em a little pep talk about how even though we had great auditions, we may not make the show, because they could be very picky, and maybe this is not the show we will be in. Before I got to bed I had a message on my VM..they had called me back for the next round of auditions..but not Emily. I decided I'd wait until after school the next day to tell her..the high she was feeling and the pride was just so great to watch. They gave the kids a sticker that said "I auditioned for Annie" she saved it in her sticker book so it would still be sticky the next day and she could wear it to school (how priceless!)

My callback was very fun...although I was getting very sick at that point and had taken every over the counter cold and flu med I could find...I still felt pretty crummy. I wore pants this time, but still wanted to get some wear out of those fancy new shoes (God help me not trip!). I came in and counted 30 kids that were called back and 34 adults. They gave us a little pep talk and we proceeded to audition for new new people that were not the in the previous audition (not good...my best asset is my voice..not my dance moves) They had all the kids leave to dance and and they had us read from the script. I had put down that I wanted to try out for Ms. Hannigan...I could sing all of her songs from memory already...I love the show! It became very clear that they did not want a 34 yr old Ms. Hannigan..but someone who was over 45. They had me read Grace and Lily lines and I even made the director laugh (good sign) I read with confidence and never tripped over my words...I though I did great...definitely one of the best.

We then went down into the basement of the playhouse and found this room with a wall of mirrors and met the choreographer. She had us do creative movement and tell a story through our dancing...good I can be creative..it was fun..and I got to know some other people as our movement interacted..nice people. She then taught us two different dances that we performed in smaller groups many times so she could watch everyone. This was hard and at that point I had wished I had worn sneakers. She had us leaping across the stage and I was sweating something fierce after this was all over..it was quite a work out. I was concentrating very hard and I tried my best..I missed a few hits and might not have lept as high as some of the others. I left that night thinking I was going to get another call back..the director had not even heard me sing yet.

I thought my performances at least would earn me an "ensemble" part. No dice...no 2nd call back and when they listed the cast list 48 hours later my name was not there. So sad :(

A smart friend might say..."They didn't know you..they only give out parts to people they've worked with before" or "Maybe next time.." or "Maybe it wasn't part of God's plan for you to be in the show"

A week later..my pastor talked to me and offered to pay me to help with the Christmas program. I accepted (I have to have a stressful Christmas.... I wouldn't know what to do with myself otherwise! :) Now at least I'll make money doing a show with my daughter and giving back to other children and helping them shine instead of being in the spotlight and having my daughter be sad that she didn't make the show and her mom did. I was able to then explain to her that even if you have a great audition, they still may not choose you....it was good for her to see. And I learned I'm good enough to get a callback at the DSM playhouse... and maybe I'll be in a show someday...when it's the right time.

I'm glad I did it..it was a fun memory with Emily!